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Welcome to the course Digital Media 10 /11
It is so great to have all of you in the course! We have so much to do and to learn. It is hoped that by the end of this course, you will have a comprehensive set of skills in new media and design. We will focus on developing our creative side with great scope for personal expressions while also being grounded in a strong technical foundation. Our course will take us from Photoshop to graphic design, to video editing skills, to architectural renderings, to advanced desktop layout techniques to achieving excellent in report creation. There is really no limit here to the digital learning we can accomplish,
I look forward to a great semester! :)
Create a one Drive share link - create an 'on line' spreadsheet for sharing course assignments
Create and Share links in ONE drive - A 'how to' guide
Example - T Linburg - (using Google Sheets - but you could use your Microsoft version of Excel)
T Linburg - grade and assessment link spreadsheet (adjust the share permissions to allow Mr. Linburg to edit)
Hand In Folder for Digital Media 10 / 11
Link to access 'creative cloud' and Adobe Suite at home
(please install - Adobe Photoshop / Adobe Illustrator / Adobe InDesign / Adobe Premiere)
Course Module # 2 - Photoshop fundamentals
Due:
Due to changes in the licensing arrangement all of you will have a specific paid Adobe Suite license for the semester. I am crossing my fingers that you are able to login starting on day 1.
Photoshop Introduction and Helpful Resources
Photoshop is a powerful design tool to help you to create unique and dynamic images. However, in order to get started, we need to learn about the core essentials of the program.
Reference guide that explains layers very well! Please take a look! (Must read this link)
Excellent "official" reference guide for Photoshop
PART A - Beginner use of layers introduction
Introduction
How to use selection tools in Photoshop.
video - 4 min (whole class)
Download zip files (Unzip them by moving them out of the zip folder before using them)
In this first course intro section we will be working off of the Adobe web site and using the three files offered here. Please download the zip file for this. You may substitute your own images if you would rather (be sure they are high quality)
1) Replicate the Photoshop tutorial video (use zip file images) - and then reinvent them in your own unique style
Image one (rose) - change the colours on the pedals (Colour replacement tool / Colour replacement version II ) add an effect / change the contrast / cut the flower on to a second layer
Image two (Red cliff) - select the rock face / change the brightness / change the "look" of the rock cliff in terms of lighting or colour or hue or saturation / select the sky portion and try to either replace it with a sunset or change the colouring the blue sky to make it a sharper contrast
Image three (checker board) - use the colour fill option for the side of the image / cut a non checker square and place it over a checker / make a few other modifications of your choosing.
Part B - Using the Rectangular / Elliptical Marque tool
Experiment with TWO images of a set of 'child's building blocks'. PLEASE SEARCH OUT AND DOWNLOAD TWO OR THREE PRACTICE IMAGES
The image should have at least twenty different blocks to work with.
You will use the following tools to adjust the blocks:
Rectangular Marquee tool / Elipitical marquee tool / Quick selection / Magic wand (all use to select parts of an image)- in concert with the Adjustment options to adjust the blocks and recreate the image.
Please read through this essential tutorial on the Rectangular marque tool explained here.
Part C - Use of the new "Generative Fill" AI option in Photoshop
Learn all about Generative image fill from this intro Video
Find TWO or THREE "high res" images of your choice...
Open Your Image: Launch Photoshop and open the image you want to edit.
Make a Selection: Use any selection tool (like the Lasso Tool or the Rectangular Marquee Tool) to select the area where you want to add, remove, or modify content.
Access Generative Fill: Once you have your selection, click on the Generative Fill button in the Contextual Task Bar that appears. Alternatively, you can go to Edit > Generative Fill from the menu bar.
Enter a Prompt: In the text-entry prompt box, describe what you want to generate. For example, you can type “add a sunset” or “remove the car”. If you leave the prompt blank, Photoshop will fill the selection based on the surrounding content.
Generate and Choose: Click on Generate. Photoshop will create several variations for you to choose from. You can view these variations in the Properties panel.
Adjust as Needed: If necessary, use the Transform Tool to resize or move the generated content. You can also make further adjustments by repeating the process.
Example only (use google 'tools' to find your hi res one) / other options
Part D - Layer Masks versus Clipping Masks - An essential Photoshop skill!
Please read this link which discusses this concept in great detail! (reference guide)
Instructions:
Practice both layer masking and clipping masks. In part one, you will have two different YET complimentary images on two different layers. You will use the brush tool (either black / white / grey) to reveal parts of the underlying image to create a 'blended image effect.
A) Complete this layer mask activity - please do this TWICE with two sets of images of your choice. Each one requires TWO different images on two layers. This is an important Photoshop skill to master.
B) Clipping mask - use these instructions - super easy! - please choose your own images to work with!
Part E - Create a Movie / Music / Poster Parody (ie Funny or ironical) / Event poster / other...
In this follow up activity to layer masking, we will our new skills with layer and clipping masks to create a poster that both combines images, reveals secondary images, add a 'thematic' clipping mask title and has been put together as a 'cohesive whole'. We would like you to find at least 10 different images to use in this project. You will reveal, cut, assemble, recombine and use the adjustment layer effects to create an overall impactful final poster.
Part A - Introduction:
Use the practice set from Adobe to work on composition and working with text type in an innovative way
Instruction Set from Adobe for Poster (use the zip file as a practice set)
Part B - Create an 'Event / Movie / Music /' Poster with a minumum of TEN images and an innovative title / font designs. Please also include at least ONE clipping mask title in the final production.
Making a Movie poster (older instruction set)
Criteria
Must include: use of both layer and clipping masks / use of 'adustments to hue - satuaration / quick selection / several layers of blended graphics / be 'funny' or informative :)
How to 'soften' the edges of an image(s) to ensure the final compositon 'blends together' . Work on feathering or other techniques to make the image look like it was not just 'pasted in'.
Additionally, give some consideration to deploying impactful font for the title.
The psychology of font design (what impact are you trying to make? And how can font choice support that goal?)
We want the entire compostion to work together and appear as if all elements belong together!
More examples / how to use colour replace tool
Part F - Choose TWO Innovative Photoshop Projects
In this next segment, you will have a chance to 'stretch out' your skills with Photoshop. You may follow a few of these tutorials but feel free to substitute out the photos and subjects. Please personalize but please READ through the tutorials before starting as I have not had the time to do them all myself!
Choose an 'interesting project from this Adobe Link (choose ONE)
Second Project Link (choose through the list - please don't select 'beginner' - only intermediate or advanced - Choose TWO
Module # 1 - Explore Krita Brush Tool Suite and Compositional Ideas
Due: Monday September 15th 2025
Please download and install Krita if you don't have access
We are going to be 'course correcting' and starting with an excellent piece of drawing software called Krita.
In our first segment, we will be exploring the use of the Brush tool
Use of the Brush tool - basics / The various tool suite explained / All about layers
1 - Landscape(s)
Concepts covered:
patterns, texture, perspective, tone, landscape composition (Arial / Linear / Solar)
realism versus abtractionism (a continuum)
Environmental brushes / Texturing with patterns
In our first use of Krita, we will be using the diverse brush set to create a unique landscape(s). You may make more than one if time permits. Please explore the brush tip textures and various other features. You could try to create a lanscape with 'shocking' colours or contrasts (non 'realism') or you could create one with a soft blend of colours and tones. How this unfolds is up to you, please never shy away from your own personal creative ideas. This is an 'open ended' experimentation.
What makes a great landscape? Well a certain amount is up to creative inspiration but there are some well documented 'benchmarks' of skill:
"...a strong, balanced composition with a clear focal point, masterful use of light and value to create depth, a harmonious and expressive color palette, and varied texture and detail to convey a sense of realism and atmosphere..."
Landscape perspective (Arial / Linear / Solar)
Realism to Abstraction - a continum of expression (abstract art evolution)
2 - Self Portrait
In the second of our introductory series, we will attempt to create a 'self portrait'. It could be completed with either the brush tools. You could colourize it or you could do it more in charcols and monochromatic (black and whites).
You could take a 'selfie' of yourself and use it to trace yourself or complete more of an 'interpretive' composition.
3 - Cubist style portrait use if at least FIVE different geometric shapes
Realism to Abstract - where do your compositions fit into this continuum ?
Cubism - an early 20th century style
Working with Krita perspectives / Krita shape drawing
In the last of our intro series, we will be creating one or two 'scene's in which geometry figures prominently. You could take it from a more specific 'realism' all the way out to an abstract representation of a place or object.
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